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-----What is the effect of waveform on anodizing?
Our company is now using a low cost AC transformer to do the anodize. I have read some articles saying DC is preferred, but AC is also usable. Does anyone have experience in anodizing with AC. Is the film form really softer? The thickness of our oxide layer is about 4 micrometer, is there any difference for such a thin layer? Thank you.
Yee, Wailok- Hong Kong
1999
Non-DC waveforms have been applied in anodizing, and a literature search will uncover some info. However, any non-DC component is another variable to tame, so such elements should be introduced for their special advantages after all the other variable have been tamed, not for cost cutting.
See, the problem with introducing an extraneous variable like AC current for the sake of cost-containment is that it's also possible to use cheap temperature regulators, poor quality water, off-spec chemicals, marginal agitation, questionable cleaning, dyes formulated for fabrics rather than aluminum, skimpy sealing, etc., etc. Once you decide that it's okay to compromise on controlling a variable, you are on the slippery slope that leads to the agony of continuous intractable rejects.
Ted Mooney, P.E.
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